Safety device for use in cleaning windows



F. w. B'IELITZ.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR USE IN CLEANING WINDOWS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14 WW.

.1 343,546. Patented June 15, 1920.

*F Iv l 26 28 /4 /6 '/7 M 23 26 WITNESSES 3/ 32 ,5 fZPM I INVENTOR 36 @Pmm w/6M;

PMMM

A TTOR/VEYS ing the outsides of said windows.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE.

FREDERICK w. BIELITZ, or JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR USE IN CLEANING WINDOWS.

Application filed March 14.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK 1V. Bmnrrz, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Jersey City, county of Hudson, State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Safety Devices for Use in CleaningWindows, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to safety devices and has for its object to provide a simple and efficient device intended primarily for use in cleaning windows anddesigned to serve as an outside seat for the cleaner when clean- According to the custom existing at present, the cleaner, for instance, a woman, seats herself upon the window sill with her body outside of the window and her limbs depending from the sill inside of the room, when it is desired to clean the windows on the outside. Because of the general formation of the window sill and the lack of control which the cleaner has in the indicated position, this practice is dangerous and ofttimes results in accidents; furthermore, the position of the cleaner is uncomfortable because of the for mation of the sill, and is very tiresome and fatiguing because of the effort required to maintain a balance in addition to the efforts expended in the actual work of cleaning.

The principal object of my invention 18 to overcome these dangers and objections and to render the operation of cleaning windows on the outside safe and comfortable. My invention further contemplates a device which 15 readily adjustable to different dimensions so as to fit windows of different sizes and types. My invention will be fully described hereinafter and the features of novelty .will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wh1ch, for illustrative and descrlptive purposes, show an example of my invention, Figure 1 is an inside elevation of my device showing it in operative combination with a window; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; Fig. 3 18 a view showing the device foldedup when not in use; Fig. 4 is a cross-section 011 the line 44: of Fig.1; Fig. 5 is a detall bottom view; and Fig. 6 is a detail View illustrating the locking means whereby my dev1ce may be secured in an adj usted positlon. I

As shownin the illustrated example, the device comprises a seat consisting of two sections 10 andlO formed of a series of bars 11 and 11 which overlap each other, as shown Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11119 15 192() 1919. Serial No. 282.582.

in ig. 1. At the contiguous, overlapping portions, said bars '11 and 11 are provided with slots 12 and with pins or rivets 13, the

arrangement being such that the rivets 13 of the bars 11 pass through and are slidable in the slots 12 of the bars 11 and the rivets 13 of the bars 11 pass through and are slidable in the slots 12 of the bars 11. The device vfurther includes a back consisting of two sections 14: and 1 1 hinged at 15 and 15 respec- .tively to the seat sections 10 and 10 the back sections 1 1 and 1 1 are also formed of parallel bars wh ch overlap each other and are provided wlth'slots 16 and pins or rivets 17,

the construction here also being such that the rivets 17 of one section pass through and are slidable in the slots 16 of the other section.

With the illustrated and described arrangement, the seat sections and back sections are capable of being adjusted to vary the dimensions of the device and to adapt it for windows of different sizes and types. The frictional engagement of the parts alone may be relied upon to maintain the seat and back sections in their adjusted positions or, as is preferred, a mechanical locking device may be provided for this purpose. As shown in the illustrated example, this device comprises a rack 18 and a cooperating pawl 19 pivotally mounted upon a recessed member 20 into which the rack 18 telescopes; these elements are each connected with one of the seat and back sections in operative relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 1. For instance, as shown, the racks 18 are connected at 21 with the seat section 10 and back section 11, respectively, and the recessed members 20 are connected at 22 with the seat section 1O and back section 1%, respectively.

drawn or moved outwardly relatively to each other, the pawls 19 will pass over the racks 18 and will finally lock the sections in their adj usted positions against relative inward movement; to permit a return movement of said sections, the pawls 19 are manually swung out of contact with said racks 18 in the well-known way. Suitable springs :53 or equivalent devices may be employed for maintaining said pawls in contact with said racks and for returning them into contact therewith. V

The device further includes end members 24 hinged at 25 to the seat sections 10 and 10 respectively and provided with cars 26 having apertures for the accommodation of .more fully explained hereinafter.

studs 27 carried by-the back sections 1 1 and 1 1 Thus, when the parts are in their operative positions, the studs 27 project through the ears 26 and thereby maintain the'end members 2 1 against pivotal movement on the hinges 25. For the purpose of locking the back against pivotal movement on the withprojecting lugs 30 arranged to engage and fit-behinda suitable part A of a window casing when the device is in use as will be Supporting members 31 are located beneath the seat sections 10 and 10 and are provided at one end with flanges or hooks 32; these members 31 are adjustable transversely to the seat sections by means of slots 33 and rivets 341 which serve also to secure said niembersto said seat sections.

r In the preferred construction braces 35 are hinged at 36'to said members 31 and are formed with stepped edges 37, as shown in Fig. 1; these braces 35 may be locked in their operative positions, for instance, by means of projections 38 carried by the braces and arranged to enter notches 39 formed on the adjacent non-rotating mem bers of the hinges 36. In order thatrthe projections 38 may automatically find the notches 39 and thus do away with the neces- V sity for careful manipulation of the parts,

- devices are preferred for this purpose. As

shown in the illustrated examples, these locking devices comprise toothed racks l1 located on the members 31 and cooperating pawls 12 pivoted at 43 upon the seat sections 10 and 10*, as illustrated in Fig. 5; suitable springs 44 are provided for maintaining said pawls in contact with said racks and for returning'them into engagement therewith.

In utilizing the device, the seat sections 10-10 and back sections 14114c are adjusted so as to bring the end members 24 into proximity with the opposite vertical portions A of the window casing, the lugs 30 fitting or extending behind these portions A of the window casing as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and resisting any outward movement of the device. By adjusting the supporting members 31 to bring the flanges 32 thereof either behind or upon a suitable portion of the inner sill B of the window and so as to bring the stepped edges 37 of the braces into contact with the edge of the outer sill C as shown in Fig. 4' the device is braced against movement in a horizontal direction; the

angle of the seat sections 10---10 in trans a natural sitting position in which the body is under complete control and in which no effort is required tomaintain a balance as is ordinarily the case. The cleaner is thus enabled to devote his or her entire energies to the work of cleaning and consequently is enabled to do a greater amount of work than is ordinarily possible because a large percentage of energy is expended by the cleaner in maintaining himself or herself against falling. V

It will, of course, be obvious that the various elements of the device may be constructedotherwise than of spaced bars and also that suitable cushions may be applied to the seat. When not in use, the device maybe compactly folded, as shown in Fig. 3 and stored away in a minimum of space until again needed.

\Vhile my device is primarily intended for use in cleaning windows, it is obvious that it may be used in any other connections when safe and comfortable access to the out side of a window is desired.

Various changes in the specific form shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. device of the kind described comprising seat, back and end sections, stepped braces pivotally connected with said seat section for supporting said device from'below, the pivotal axes of said braces'extending lengthwise thereof whereby said braces are movable to inoperative positions beneath said seat sections and means for connecting said device with a window. V V 2. A device of the kind described comprising seat, back and end sections, stepped braces pivotally connected with said seat said braces in their operative positions and means for connecting said device with a Window.

3. A device of the kind described comprising seat, back and end sections, su aporting members located beneath and carried by said seat sections and adjustable trans versely thereto, stepped braces pivotally connected With said supporting members for supporting said device from below and mov- 10 able to inoperative positions beneath said seat sections, means for locking said braces in their operative positions and means for connecting said device With a Window.

In testimony whereof I have'hereunto set 15 my hand.

FREDERICK W. BIELITZ. 

